Veteran linebacker Jamie Collins has appeared in 76 games for the New England Patriots since ... [+]
A familiar face has returned once more to the New England Patriots’ linebacker room.
The organization re-signed veteran Jamie Collins on Monday, as reported by Mike Reiss of ESPN and confirmed by agent David Canter of GSE Worldwide.
Collins, 32, had remained an unrestricted free agent since March yet visited Gillette Stadium midway through September. The Southern Mississippi product now begins his fourth stint with the organization that selected him in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft at No. 52 overall.
New England traded Collins to the Cleveland Browns in 2016. He made his way back in 2019 as well as in 2021 after being released by the Detroit Lions only 16 starts into a three-year, $30 million contract that included $18 million guaranteed as well as a restructure.
A Super Bowl XLIX champion, Collins has appeared in 76 games with 58 starts during his Patriots career. His odometer in Foxborough spans 328 tackles, 18.5 sacks and 13 forced fumbles to go with five rumble recoveries, nine interceptions and a pair of touchdowns.
Upon agreeing to a one-year, $1.075 million pact with New England last October, Collins saw 200 snaps on defense and 93 snaps on special teams. Ten games were played and two starts were made. Twenty tackles, one sack and one interception followed.
So did shades of the same athleticism and versatility as before. He earned a coverage grade of 91.2 from Pro Football Focus while logging seven quarterback pressures and zero missed tackles.
“He’s really contributing a lot of different ways,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said of the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Collins during a press conference last fall. “Setting a good edge, playing off the ball, on the ball, special teams, rushing the passer, playing in coverage, so he’s helped us in a lot of different ways. ... Jamie’s done a great job of doing whatever we ask him to do, doing it well, and really just helping the team. Not just the defense, but the team in any way he can.”
The 32-year-old Collins previously returned to head coach Bill Belichick's roster in October 2021 ... [+]
Aside from three-time Pro Bowler Matthew Judon extending his sack streak to four games, New England’s linebacker depth continued to be tested in last Sunday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Offseason trade acquisition Mack Wilson played 14% of the defensive snaps at Lambeau Field despite starting off the ball next to team captain Ja’Whaun Bentley. Raekwon McMillan, who was listed as questionable due to a thumb injury that recently sidelined him, worked exclusively in the kicking game. And with 2020 draft picks Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings in rotational duties off the edge, Jahlani Tavai accounted for eight tackles yet showed sideline-to-sideline limitations.
After allowing 7.2 yards per ground attempt to the Baltimore Ravens the week prior, 5.7 yards per ground attempt were allowed to Green Bay. Running backs Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon combined for 183 rushing yards on 33 carries while rookie wide receiver Christian Watson turned a jet sweep into a touchdown.
Now standing at 1-3, the Patriots will host Collins’ former Lions next Sunday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET.
